Who is off the taxpaying hook?

While the Internal Revenue Service gets around 140 million returns a year, millions of Americans are exempt from this annual duty.

Before you wish you were among that group, however, take a look at just who typically does not have to file a 1040.

47 percent and falling

During the 2012 presidential election, much attention was given to individuals who didn't file or pay taxes. That was when Republican nominee Mitt Romney cited data -- the now infamous 47 percent figure.

That number came from a study by the Urban Institute and Brookings Institution's Tax Policy Center, or TPC, of 2009 IRS filing data.

The Washington, D.C.-based policy group has been analyzing U.S. tax filing and paying for years and actually is seeing a drop in those who don't have to pay federal income taxes. For the 2013 tax year, TPC estimates that the number will be 43 percent.

Why the decrease? TPC analysts cite two key reasons, both related to the economy.

First, the recession meant a lot of individuals didn't earn enough to file a return.

Second, to help those struggling in the recession, the president proposed and Congress agreed to stimulus measures that reduced their taxes.

With the expiration of the stimulus provisions and an improving economy, the TPC expects more people to join the income taxpaying ranks, estimating that by 2022 only 34 percent will be able to avoid paying taxes.

Off the income tax hook

Still, a third of the country free from income tax obligations is a substantial number.

It is, however, not necessarily a group to which most aspire.

Of today's estimated 43 percent who don't pay taxes, many of them end up with no tax bill for two main reasons.

In many cases, they receive tax benefits, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit and child-related tax breaks, that eliminate their tax obligations.

Or they don't make enough money to require that they file. Remember, the IRS sets earnings thresholds based on age and filing status that determine who has to file. For 2013, the minimum income amounts that trigger federal filing are $10,000 for single individuals, $12,850 for heads of household and $20,000 for married couples filing a joint return.

And around two-thirds of this group, or 29 percent, work and pay payroll taxes, says the TPC. These are the Social Security and Medicare taxes that come out of workers' paychecks and are matched by employers. This is 6.2 percent of earnings for Social Security and another 1.45 percent for Medicare.

Older, poorer

That leaves, according to TPC calculations, around 14 percent of Americans who pay no income or payroll taxes.

Of that group, around 10 percent are older than 65 and earn too little to pay taxes. The income earnings thresholds for this age group are slightly higher: $11,500 for singles; $14,350 for heads of household; and $21,200 for married joint filers where one spouse is that age.

Another 3 percent avoid income taxes because they basically are too poor. They earn less than $20,000 a year.

1 percent remainder

That leaves 1 percent of Americans who aren't old or poor and still don't owe Uncle Sam.

Among this group are investors whose earnings are from tax-exempt holdings such as municipal bonds or who have offset their United States income taxes, thanks to taxes they paid on foreign income.

Others in this fraction of nonpayers also might have zeroed out their tax bills because of substantial deductions, such as for large medical bills or generous gifts to charity.

Essentially, the Internal Revenue Code is pretty comprehensive. So while we all dream of not owing any taxes, chances are good that we're going to pay the U.S. Treasury at least a little.

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8 Comments

A. J. Demien

January 23, 2014 at 2:33 am

Our country has become so full of legalized crooks in office, it's disgusting. NEITHER political party is decent, nor has anything truly honest, moral, decent, etc. to offer the American people.

Need a real, true, American - GOD-WORSHIPPING candidate (if there is such a thing) for the presidency & same attributes for rest of state govt. All this below the belt" worshiping (like Gays and same-sex marriage & going against GOG is so much BUNK!

GJones

January 22, 2014 at 7:10 pm

PS: that should be 70 percent.
We have the most corrupt administration and congress in power ever in our nations history

GJones

January 22, 2014 at 7:07 pm

Boy! is this Bull, it has been report that 705 of Congress has not filed or paid taxes in over five years and thanks to the tax breaks the republicans got the Super Rich the only ones paying taxes will be the POOR and Working people.
Congress and the administration should be tarred, feathered and ran out of the country as a bunch of TRAITORS to the country.

D. Jones

January 22, 2014 at 5:28 pm

I don't know about the rest of America but I can only recall making over $20,000 one year, and I've always paid taxes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

JACK DOYLE

January 22, 2014 at 4:33 pm

BLACK PRESIDENT HATERS HAVE SHORT MEMORIES.
Reagan gave amnesty to millions of illegals and some of them did not even use it .
If there is money under the table it came from DelMontes,etc 50 years ago when Obama was 6 years old and welfare is adjudicated by counties and states, not the president.
Unless someone runs a bus company that will handle 12 million trips over the border to the South while supplying aMERICAN FARMERS 12 million Americicanos who will pick corn,tomatoes and their noses we have a continuuing 59 year problem that no one in ignoramus Clowngress can solve.

CWilson

January 22, 2014 at 3:13 pm

F.Dracelman, given the illegal numbers they are probably not the big problem you think. Many illegals get regular paychecks, pay SS and other payroll taxes. I know many individuals who work for themselves that are clearly cheating or not paying income taxes on the money they earn selling art, ceramics, working off line from a regular company pay check. This is not speculation on my part, and Obama has nothing to do with this problem. It existed long before he became President. Thanks,

F.dracelman

January 22, 2014 at 2:24 pm

Thanks to Obama, it's better to be an illeagal than to be a citizen.
Get paid cash under the table, free/reduced education, free welfare, no identity verification.
Only country in the world that takes care of everyone except it's own

Lois Giehll

January 22, 2014 at 1:05 pm

Is it true that immigrants(mainly those from the middle east),can buy a business and the don't have to pay taxes for 7 years?

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